Mayor Scott promises 'thorough investigation' after three children killed by West Baltimore fire

BALTIMORE -- A raging fire in West Baltimore killed three children and injured one adult on Saturday.

Now, Mayor Brandon Scott is promising that a "thorough investigation" will be made "into the cause of the fire to determine what happened" and to prevent it from happening again in the future.

The fire broke out in the 3000 block of Brighton Street around 2 a.m. on Saturday. Firefighters rescued five people, including the three children, from the fire. The children later died from their injuries, according to Baltimore City Fire Department.

The two adults were initially listed in critical condition. Their conditions were revised later in the day. 

By late afternoon, the woman was still in critical condition at the hospital, but the man had been discharged from the hospital, Baltimore City Fire Department Assistant Chief Roman Clark said.

The man had not been inside the house when firefighters were fighting the fire, Clark said. 

"I want to express my sincere appreciation to the brave firefighters and first responders who risked their lives to save others and contain the fire," Scott said in a statement. "Their dedication and selflessness are an inspiration to us all, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their heroic efforts."

Scott said the city would work closely with the family, their friends, and community members to provide them with the resources they need at the difficult juncture in their lives.

"To the family and friends of those who perished in this fire, please know that our entire community is here to support you," Scott said. "We stand with you in your grief and offer our deepest condolences."

A pile of debris filled the front yard of the row home following fire. Children's toys sat amid the pile. 

Maria Bailey runs a daycare from her home nearby. She said she heard the screams in the early hours of Saturday.

"I got woken up by the noise, the screaming and hollering," Bailey said. "I peeked outside and saw the fire trucks up and down the block and said, 'Oh, Lord, somebody's house is on fire.'"

Bailey remembers seeing the children playing outside the row home. Now, she is haunted by those memories.

"They are little ones. So, they would be on the porch playing, having a nice time, enjoying the air," she said. "It's very disturbing. I feel sorry for the family. I'm sending up my prayers to the whole family. That was devastating."

A relative wrote on social media, "Lord, only you can give the strength and comfort our family needs right now."

The relative said she was "asking everyone to please pray, pray, pray for my family."

WJZ was at the home when relatives arrived Saturday evening. They declined to comment and asked for privacy during their time of grief. 

This is the second fatal fire in Baltimore this week. 

A woman was found dead on the second floor of a home that caught fire Thursday morning in Northeast Baltimore, according to the Baltimore City Fire Department.

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• Baltimore
• Fire